City of Toronto launches “It’s Up To You” for the November 13 municipal election

The City of Toronto, today, announced its plans for the November 13 municipal election, including key dates for advance voting, how to use the voting machines, its communications plan and accessing election night results.

“There are a number of advance voting opportunities this year to make voting easier,” said City Clerk Ulli Watkiss. “Anyone who is eligible to vote is encouraged to vote in advance - you do not need a reason to vote early. Voters are asked to bring with them their voter information cards and at least one piece of identification showing their name and address when they vote. Eligible voters who did not receive a voter information card can still vote on, or before election day.”

Watkiss also reminded voters that they vote where they live in the City of Toronto. “Even if you rent, or own property or businesses in several different wards, you may only vote once and it must be in the ward in which you live.”

In addition to the 38 mayoral candidates, there are also 275 candidates running for city councillor and 143 candidates seeking election in four school boards. The “It’s Up To You” campaign challenges all eligible voters, including the homeless, new Canadians, and young, first-time voters to participate in the election process.

“The municipal level of government touches people’s everyday lives more than any other level of government,” said Greg Essensa, Director of Elections and Registry Services. “With a total of 456 candidates registered to run in the November 13 municipal election, voters have a real role to play in determining the outcome of the 2006 election. Like the campaign says: It’s Up To You.”

Elections and Registry Services will employ some 10,100 staff on election day to work in more than 1,600 voting places. Planning for the 2006 election began shortly after the 2003 election. Candidate nominations opened on January 3 of this year.

Voting places will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, November 13. Weekday advance voting runs from Monday, October 23 to Wednesday, November 1 at City Hall, the East York, Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough Civic Centres and the Maria A. Shchuka MAS Library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend advance voting takes place at one location in each ward on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, or to check if your name is on the voters’ list, call 416-338-1111 or visit the City of Toronto’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/elections.